Rumored iTunes Subscription Service on the Horizon
Tuesday March 25, 2008
Apple Inc., may be in the process of formulating a subscription based iTunes service according to the Financial Times. The plan could involve consumers being able to access the complete contents of the iTunes Store by opting for a monthly subscription plan. Another business model that has been rumored to be under consideration is offering special iPod and iPhone music bundles. A premium price would be paid for the hardware in return for unlimited iTunes access.
iPod sales are not as strong as they once were and this new strategy by Apple, if it sees the light of day, would certainly boost much needed sales and strengthen their position in the digital music download industry.
Comments
I think this is great since iTune’s store library puts Napster to shame. Napster’s library is the pits and want you to pay $12.95 a month for the subscription and have terrible customer service, to the point that I cancel by subscription after being with them for 5 years. iTunes’ customer service is, definitely, customer friendly (online) and will give u credit if u purchase the same song on two different album or duplicate song, Napster will not (their online customer service). Maybe if you call their 800 number a customer rep may give you credit.
I just hope with Apple’s subscription sevice, for iTunes, we will be able to hear the entire song before we can purchase, like Rhapsody.
They can keep it if its anything like Rhapsody service. Rhapsody’s site and program format is poor. (to me) the only thing that I liked about Rhapsody was being able to listen to the hold track before buying. I just what to know if you will still be able to download single tracks without having to buying the subscrption service?.
Lady,
As far as I’m aware the rumored subscription service would run in parallel with the current service. You could choose to subscribe, go a-la-carte or both. It’s still just a consideration at the moment and might not even happen, although Apple would miss an opportunity (IMO) to net users who prefer to ‘rent’ their music.
Thanks Mark for the feedback!
However; I am not let sold on the idea of renting my music. While I understand that some people like the idea of not having to keep with cds and having to wearing about the massive hard-drive space that music files can take up on their computers, that I can understand. But there has to be another way to manage both side of this issue so that both parties are getting their money worth. My augment is why rent when you can buy? With more choices of buying digital music and especial DRM-free music the thought of paying to “rent” music doesn’t make sense to me. Now if they were willing to give me say five to ten free tracks per month with subscription, then maybe then we can talk………
The big selling point for me is the “discovery” angle. With subscription services I can discover new music – at my convenience – without having to settle for 30-second samples. If I like the music enough to want to keep it forever, I’ll buy it. It’s a win for me and for the music industry. I can’t understand any of the reasons given so far for iTunes not offering a subscription service. For now, Yahoo’s getting my money every month and Apple’s getting nothing.
ITunes used to have a subscription service years ago. I’ve been with Rhapsody which sucks to all god forgiven hell. It skips all the time and the player is a total piece of crap. Napster seems to have only a web interface now (I didn’t check for the local install like rhapsody) but Napsters sound quality is VERY BAD. I think the subscription model is great but we need a player that can do a decent job.